Hydrangea plant named ‘BCHY-15.008’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) plant named ‘BCHY-15.008’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The variety ‘BCHY-15.008’ has attractive inflorescences with sepalous florets with attractive sepal pigmentation and good commercial characteristics.

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-15.008’.

Variety denomination: ‘BCHY-15.008’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of theSaxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangeamacrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-15.008’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled crossbetween a variety known to the inventor as ‘BC7.12’ which was the seedparent and the unpatented variety known as ‘Rotdrossel’ which was thepollen parent. ‘BC7.12’ was the subject of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/986,047 which issued as U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,677. ‘BC7.12’originated as a seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatentedvariety known as ‘LK49’ which was the seed parent and a commercialvariety known as ‘Venedig’ to the inventor which may be the subject ofU.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928 and registered as ‘Venice Raven’. ‘Venedig’was the pollen parent of that cross. ‘LK49’ is relatively compact plantwith wiry stems, relatively small leaves, relatively small sepalousflorets, and inflorescences that are resistant to being damaged byconditions in commercial coolers. The applicant is unaware as to whetherthe commercial variety known as ‘Rotdrossel’ is the subject of a patentin the United States or a foreign country or protected as a plantvariety in the United States or a foreign country. No observations ofthe parent ‘Rotdrossel’ were made.

The variety ‘BCHY-15.008’ has sepalous florets with uniform sepalpigmentation at maturity and good commercial characteristics, includingstrong stems, a propensity to branch when pinched and a propensity toset infloresences on each stem and lateral branch. The color of thesepals changes as the plant ages. The plant is similar to U.S. PlantPat. No. 23,757 entitled Hydangrea Plant named ‘BC6.1’. Below is a tablecomparing the new variety to similar varieties.

TABLE 1 New Variety U.S. Plant Pat. No. ‘BCHY-15.008’ 25,677 ‘BC7.12’Leaf size 10 cm wide × 15 cm long 9 cm × 16.5 cm Plant height 13″ in 6″pot. 17″ in 6″ pot. Stem strength Strong Stems are strong. Sepal Certainplants Upper side of Pigmentation treated with aluminum: sepals isR.H.S. upper sides of sepals are 67 A (red - R.H.S. 71 A (red-purplepurple group); group), and under sides of Under side of sepals areR.H.S. 72 B sepals is R.H.S. (red-purple group). Plants 68 A (red-purplenot treated with group). aluminum: upper sides of sepals are R.H.S 61 B(red-purple group), and under sides are R.H.S. 70 C (red-purple group).Sepalous 70 mm 60 mm Floret Size - Diameter Commerical variety ‘Venedig’which may be U.S. U.S. Plant Pat. No. Plant Pat. 10,928 23,757 ‘BC6.1’‘Venice Raven’ Leaf size 13 cm wide × 16 cm long 11 cm wide × 15.5 cmlong - source U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928 Plant height 15″ in 6″ pot 12″in 6″ pot - observed controls grown alongside ‘BC6.1’. Stem strengthStems are strong but Strong - benefit from being staked observedcontrols grown alongside ‘BC6.1’. Sepal Upper sides of sepals are Upperside of Pigmentation R.H.S. 86 A (violet sepals is R.H.S. group); Undersides 84 A (violet of sepals are R.H.S. 88 D group). Under (violetgroup) side of sepals is R.H.S. 85 A (violet group) observed controlsgrown alongside ‘BC6.1’. Sepalous 60 mm to 70 mm 70 mm - observed FloretSize - controls grown Diameter alongside ‘BC6.1’.

The new cultivar ‘BCHY-15.008’ has been successfully asexuallyreproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery inHalf Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with itsdistinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttingswere used from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexuallyreproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. showthat the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for‘BCHY-15.008’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show thetypical plant form at 1 year when grown in a commercial nursery andforced to bloom, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an entire plant treated with aluminum showingits form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the colorof its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an entire plant treated with aluminum showingits form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the colorof its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a view of the base of the plant treated with aluminum.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the underside of a panicle of a planttreated with aluminum.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf of aplant treated with aluminum.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the upper side of the inflorescence of thenew variety treated with aluminum.

FIG. 7 is at top view of an entire plant treated with aluminum grown ina different cycle than the plant shown in FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 8 is at top view of an entire plant not treated with aluminum grownin a different cycle than the plant shown in FIG. 9

FIG. 9 is a close-up view of the upper side of an inflorescence of aplant not treated with aluminum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants described are approximately a year old. The plant started outas cuttings, used from the stem of a grown plant. The plants shown werepinched early in their development to promote lateral branches. As notedfor some of the plants pictured the soil was periodically treated withaluminum to produce a different pigmentation. The plant shown in FIGS. 8and 9 were not treated aluminum. The plants shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 weregrown in a different cycle and under different conditions than theplants shown in FIGS. 1-6 and 9. The plants shown in FIGS. 1-6 and 9were grown in the same growing cycle. All measurements and colordeterminations provided for plants grown with aluminum treatments arebased on the plants grown in the same cycle and under the sameconditions as the plant shown in FIGS. 1-6. All measurements and colordeterminations provided for plants grown without aluminum treatments arebased on the plants grown in the same cycle and under the sameconditions as the plant shown in FIG. 9. All measurements andcharacterizations and color determinations apply to both plants treatedwith aluminum and those not treated with aluminum unless otherwisenoted.

‘BCHY-15.008’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, treatment withaluminum and day length. Color determinations were made with The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, developed in associationwith the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

-   The plant:    -   -   Origin.—Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a            seedling from a controlled cross between the patented            variety known as ‘BC7.12’—U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,677—which            was the seed parent, and the commercial variety ‘Rotdrossel’            which was the pollen parent.        -   Form.—Upright, non-climbing compact shrub. The mature plant            with a mature inflorescence that is ready for sale is            approximately 13″ high and has a diameter of 15″ when grown            in a 6″ pot with appropriate soil amendments.        -   Growth.—Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is            medium to large. The plant branches easily with shoots            forming at the base of the plant. Lateral branches are            similar in appearance and form to the main stems.        -   Stems.—Lenticels are present. Stem lengths are approximately            9″. Fasciation is absent. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A (violet            group) and are 1 to 3 mm long. The surface of young stems is            glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color of            typical young stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 144            A (yellow-green group). The older portions of the stems are            R.H.S. 199 A (grey-brown group). Younger portions of the            stems are 7 mm in diameter. Older portions of the stems are            7 mm in diameter.        -   Foliage.—Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral            branches. Shape of leaf. — Elliptic with acute base and            acute apex. Tips of leaves are 10 mm long. Margins are            serrate and not lobed. Texture. — Glabrous; veins dominate            on the underside of the leaf and are sunken on the upper            leaf surface. The upper side of the leaf is moderately            glossy. Variegation is absent. Color. — Mature leaves have            an upper side that is R.H.S. 136 A (green group), and an            under side that is R.H.S. 137 C (green group). Leaves are            pinnately veined. The midvein and veins branching off the            midvein are large and prominent on the underside of the            leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 145 C (yellow-green group). Leaves            are as wide as 10 cm and 15 cm long. Petioles are smooth and            approximately 2 cm long and 4 mm wide. Petioles are R.H.S.            145 C (yellow-green group).-   Buds:    -   -   Form.—Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals.            The terminal and later-developing buds of the panicles are            non-sepalous. The majority of buds will develop into            sepalous florets. The buds are approximately 2 mm by 2 mm            when very young. Buds can be 5 mm in diameter and still            unopened. Color of mature buds is R.H.S. 87 B (violet group)            for the observed plants treated with aluminum. Color of            mature buds is R.H.S. 70 C (red-purple group) for the            observed plants that were not treated with aluminum.        -   Aspect.—Smooth.        -   Arrangement.—Borne on branched panicles.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Form.—Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 70 individual florets            (both sepalous and non-sepalous) per inflorescence. Both            sepalous florets and non-sepalous florets are borne on the            same panicle. Non-sepalous florets are inconspicuous.            Flowers do not produce a fragrance. The peduncle for the            inflorescence is strong and upright. There are very few            non-sepalous florets. The non-sepalous florets are located            at the terminal portion of the panicle and are later hidden            by sepalous florets. Florets, both sepalous and            non-sepalous, have anthers and style. Inflorescences are            long-lasting. Florets near terminal floret have less            developed sepals and are less pigmented.        -   Size of Inflorescence.—Medium. Individual inflorescence size            is dependent on the number of florets. A typical            inflorescence can grow as large as 8″ in diameter, and 4″            high.        -   Shape.—Globose. Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous            florets overlap one another. Sepals are persistent.        -   Appearance.—Showy.-   Florets:    -   -   General.—The non-sepalous florets at the center of the            panciles open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets are            perfect and complete. Corolla: Generally, for both sepalous            and non-sepalous florets there are 4 to 5 petals. Petals are            typically 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. Petals are R.H.S. 96 D            (violet-blue group) for observed plants treated with            aluminum. Petals are R.H.S. 87 B (red-purple group) for            observed plants not treated with aluminum. Lenticels are            present on pedicels of both sepalous and non-sepalous            florets, lenticels and range in length from 1 mm to 3 mm.            For plants treated with aluminum, lenticels are R.H.s. 80 A            (purple-violet group). For plants not treated with aluminum,            lenticels are R.H.S. 70 A (red-purple group). Pedicel length            for non-sepalous florets averages 3 mm. Pedicel length of            sepalous florets is approximately 30 mm in length for plants            of this age. Pedicels of both sepalous and non-sepalous            florets continue to elongate as the inflorescence ages. In            the observed plants treated with aluminum, pedicels range            from 78 C (purple group) at the base of the pedicel to            R.H.S. 145 B (green group) near the floret when mature for            observed plants treated with aluminum. In the observed            plants not treated with aluminum, pedicels range from 70 C            (red-purple group) at the base of the pedicel to R.H.S. 145            B (green group) near the floret when mature.        -   Stamens.—8 to 12 stamens. Anther is regular and basally            attached. The stamens are 5 mm long and are R.H.S. 96 A            (violet-purple group). The anthers are 2 mm long and are            R.H.S. 145 A (yellow-green group). Pollen is scarce.        -   Stigma.—Two to four style each. Each style has one stigma.        -   Ovary.—Ovary is partially inferior.        -   Sepalous florets.—General. — Veins dominate on the underside            of the sepals. Number of sepals. — 4 to 5 sepals per floret.            Aspect of sepals. — Smooth and glaucescent. Shape of sepals.            — Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are entire, but with            some crenation. Size of sepals. — As the florets mature, the            sepals enlarge and overlap each other more and more, until,            often, there is no space between the sepals when the petals            of the florets open. Sepals at maturity are typically 40 mm            long and 50 mm wide. Sepalous florets are typically 70 mm in            diameter. In the observed plants treated with aluminum, the            upper sides of the sepals are R.H.S. 71 A (red-purple            group). In the observed plants treated with aluminum, the            undersides are R.H.S. 72 B (red-purple group). In the            observed plants not treated with aluminum, the upper sides            of the sepals are R.H.S. 61 B (red-purple group). In the            observed plants not treated with aluminum, the undersides            are R.H.S. 70 C (red-purple group). Pigmentation-develops at            the tips of the sepals and travels inward towards the base            of the sepals.        -   Fruit.—None.        -   Disease and Pest Resistance.—Unknown.        -   Plants prefer milder temperatures.        -   Plants bloom in the spring but can be forced to bloom by            placing in a cold environment.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named‘BCHY-15.008’ substantially as herein illustrated and described.